Chapter 2
Hermione put a few more things into her suitcase. She and her family would be leaving for the U.S. the next morning, bright and early. Hermione stared at a picture of Harry on her nightstand. She loved how it was a wizard picture so it felt like he was smiling and waving at her. Hermione longed to see Harry before she left, but she knew that wouldn't be possible. Her father wouldn't let Hermione talk to him every night, only every other, and he still didn't trust Harry enough to take his daughter out on a date.
Hermione heard the doorbell ring and her father talking to someone. Mr. Granger sounded angry, so Hermione crept silently out of her room, with Crookshanks on her heels. Hermione peeked her head around the corner and found Harry standing in the doorway. Hermione's heart skipped a beat.
"Hermione's busy packing. She'll talk to you when we get back from our trip," Mr. Granger said, starting to close the door.
"I'm basically finished Dad," Hermione said, hopping around the corner. Mr. Granger looked livid.
"Fine, but I'm only giving you two ten minutes!" He said, and closed the door behind Hermione.
"I'm surprised to see you Harry!" Hermione said, holding herself back from flinging her arms around Harry's shoulder. She knew her father was watching from the window.
"That's the way I planned it," Harry said with a grin.
"I'm glad you came," Hermione said, sitting down on the front step. Harry sat down next to her, careful not to get too close.
"So, have you found a job yet?" Harry asked.
"Nope, but I did apply for a teaching job at Hogwarts, and apparently there are two openings. But there is still no reply; then again, I only sent in an application yesterday," Hermione replied.
"I'm sure you'll get the job," Harry said. Hermione blushed.
"Did you decide which Quidditch team you're going to join?" Hermione asked.
"Yeah, and that's what I came here to talk to you about," Harry said.
"Well, which team?" Hermione asked, turning to look at Harry.
"I decided on the Irish National Quidditch Team," Harry said, looking into Hermione's chocolate brown eyes.
"Well, what did you need to talk to me about then?" Hermione asked.
"The training session starts tomorrow, and I'll be gone on trips for the rest of the summer, playing in games. I want to do this, I feel I'm good enough, but that means I won't see you for the rest of the summer," Harry explained.
Hermione looked sadly into Harry's emerald eyes, trying to look happy.
"Well, where is your first game?" Hermione asked.
"It's in four weeks, in Salem, Massachusetts," Harry replied.
"Maybe I can convince Mum and Dad to buy tickets, since that will be our last week in the U.S.," Hermione said happily.
"Then I could take you on my victory lap," Harry grinned.
"You haven't won the game yet," Hermione said with a smile.
"Oh, but I will have won it if you come," Harry said, putting his arm around Hermione's shoulders. Hermione moved in closer, knowing her father was probably glaring angrily at the two of them.
Hermione sighed contentedly in Harry's arms, wishing she could stay that way forever. Harry was feeling the same way, loving the smell of her soft brown hair. After a few minutes Hermione drew away, standing slowly up.
"I have a feeling my father isn't very happy," Hermione explained.
"How do you know?" Harry asked.
"Because I saw him looking out the window, glaring at you and probably me as well," Hermione replied.
"Would he kill me if I kissed you?" Harry asked, standing up.
"Most likely," Hermione said.
"Well, let's see if he can catch me then," Harry said, pulling Hermione closely towards him and kissing her passionately on the lips.
"I'm going to miss you, Harry Potter," Hermione said, as they slowly drew apart.
"I'm going to miss you more, Hermione Granger," Harry said, disappearing on the spot where he had stood a few seconds before.
"You passed your apparation test, so did I," Hermione said, longing to apparate after Harry. Hermione stood, staring at the spot where Harry last stood for a few minutes, before turning around and heading inside her home.
***
"You're back already, Harry?" Remus asked as Harry walked in the front door.
"Yeah, that's why I'm standing in the doorway," Harry said.
"How'd Hermione take it?" Sirius asked, as Harry joined him in the living room.
"Fine, she says she'll miss me," Harry replied.
"And?" Remus asked joining the two.
"And what?" Harry asked.
"Have you popped the question yet?" Sirius asked.
"It wasn't the right moment," Harry replied.
"Well, when is the right moment?" Remus asked.
"I don't know, but when it comes, I'll know," Harry said, blushing a little.
"You're going to miss her aren't you?" Remus asked.
"I already do," Harry sighed.
***
Hermione stepped off the plane into the bright sunlight. She looked around at the huge buildings of New York City. Mr. and Mrs. Granger stepped off the plane and followed their daughter out to a Taxi Cab. Hermione wished she could have apparated to the U.S., but her parents wanted to buy her a plane ticket. Her mother had said that they wanted to spend money on their little girl as long as they could.
"Isn't this city beautiful?" Hermione said, while the taxicab was driving them to their hotel.
"Yes it is, and our hotel is right on Central Park," Mrs. Granger replied.
"Tomorrow could we go into the wizarding part of the city?" Hermione whispered, so the cab driver wouldn't hear her talking about wizards and witches when he was a muggle.
"Mum, Dad, I've been meaning to ask you something," Hermione said.
"What is it dear?" Mrs. Granger asked.
"Could we go to a Quidditch game while we're here? Preferably one in Salem on July 31st," Hermione asked.
"And why would we want to do that?" Mr. Granger asked.
"Because, You guys have never seen a Quidditch game before and I'm sure you'll love it," Hermione said quickly.
"I think it's a wonderful idea!" Mrs. Granger said, smiling at her daughter.
"You mean it? We can go?" Hermione asked.
"Yes, we'll buy the tickets tomorrow," Mrs. Granger replied.
Hermione hugged her mother as best as she could in the moving vehicle. Mr. Granger didn't look like he approved of the idea, but he didn't say anything. Hermione settled back in her seat, watching the buildings in New York City fly by.
"Here's your stop," the cab driver said, pulling over in front of a five-story hotel right across from Central Park. He helped the Granger's bring their things into the hotel lobby and drove off when Mr. Granger paid him.
"Can I go for a walk Mum?" Hermione asked.
"Do you think it's safe?" Mrs. Granger asked Mr. Granger.
"Don't be gone longer then a half hour," Mr. Granger replied.
"We'll meet you in the lobby in a half hour and we'll find someplace to eat for supper," Mrs. Granger said.
"Ok, I'll be careful, I promise," Hermione said, crossing the street and walking into Central Park.
Hermione looked around at the families picnicking, playing football, baseball, Frisbee, or even the couples walking hand in hand, and even a few were making out. Hermione tried not to think about Harry, but she couldn't help it. She missed him so much and wondered what it would be like to walk through Central Park during a sunset on a warm summer day.
Hermione stopped walking once she reached a pond, where small children were sailing boats, or sticking their feet in the water. A few were scooping up buckets of water and dumping it on their friends and siblings. Hermione sat down on a bench to look out across the pond. Hermione saw a few people on bikes or roller blades across the pond. A little boy probably around five was trying to catch his dog, whose leash was dragging behind him. Hermione laughed as the little boy yelled after the dog and his parents chased after him, trying to catch the dog.
Then Hermione's thoughts turned to her future. She wondered what it would be like to have a family of her own. Hermione could imagine herself teaching her children how to read, or playing with them in the backyard. Hermione even began to think of names. Then her thoughts turned back to Harry. Hermione suddenly felt like she would love to live with him for the rest of her life. Harry made her feel so safe and protected from all danger. Hermione blushed at the thought, when she knew she was way to young and Harry probably wasn't ready for such a huge commitment yet.
Hermione sighed and began to head back to the Hotel. She stopped by a tree and watched a couple lying on a picnic blanket, talking to each other. Hermione felt she would love to do that with Harry.
"I just have to wait until the end of July, then I can see him again. Only a few more weeks," Hermione thought to herself.
Hermione then crossed the busy street and met her parents in the hotel lobby. She was silent while her parents talked about New York City. Hermione stared out of the window at the Italian Restaurant where they were eating for supper that night. She was picking at her food, thinking about Harry. In fact, Harry was the only thing she had been thinking about for the past few hours.
"Aren't you hungry?" Mrs. Granger asked.
"No Mum, I'm kind of tired. Do you think I could take a cab back to the hotel?" Hermione asked.
"Sure dear, here's 20 bucks, that should get you to the hotel, ah, I'll give you 40 just to be on the safe side," Mr. Granger said, handing Hermione the money.
"Thanks," Hermione said and left the restaurant.
Hermione finally managed to get a cab after trying for about ten minutes. She then hurried into her hotel room, once the cab let her off in front of the hotel. Hermione lay down on her bed, and took out a picture of Harry she had hidden on the bottom of her suitcase.
"I saw you just the other day, and I already miss you," Hermione said, smiling at the waving Harry in the picture frame.
A/N: I know this chapter is shorter then the last. But I couldn't think of anything else to write. I don't know if I described Central Park right, because I've never been there. I live in NY for 8 years and never went into the city. Well tell me what you think in a review, and I'm sorry it took me so long to update. I'll try to update sooner, but I'm working on like 3 stories right now, so it all depends. And right now I'm trying to finish Gone, then Danger in the Forest and this one. So if you want you can read some of my other stories while you're waiting for me to update.
Another A/N: I also fixed all the errors that my friend Nova caught in this chapter. Thanks Nova! And of course please review this story everyone!
